Domestic appliance



Nov. 29, 1960 E. J. FREY DOMESTIC APPLIANCE:

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1957 INVENTOR. {du/ard J. f'ey BY V JWM 7 /f H15 ATTrRA/fy Nov. 29, 1960 E. J. FREY DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1957 H Re N www MJM u, w Ja fw@ United States Patent f DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Edward J. Frey, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to G eneral Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporatlon of Delaware Filed Mar. 26, 1957, Ser. No. 648,531

7 Claims. (Cl. 68-207) This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to a water supply arrangement for a combined washer-dryer or the like.

One of the problems encountered in washing machines and in combination washer-dryers where the tub of the machine is filled by means of a single inlet system is the backing up of suds and steam through the inlet pipe during the washing cycle. The suds and steam, if permitted to back up through the inlet pipe, find their way into the space between the tub and the cabinet ofthe machine where the suds and steam lodge on various electrical apparatus and the like to rapidly deteriorate the same. The same general problem occurs where a single inlet pipe is used to supply condensing water to a clothes dryer or to a combination washer-dryer when the combination washer-dryer is operating as a clothes dryer.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide Water supply apparatus for laundry equipment wherein the `backing up of suds and steam through the water su'pply pipe is precluded. The water supply apparatus conveniently includes a receptacle or trough that is associ-r ated with the laundry machine, the receptacle having an overflow opening spaced above the bottom of the receptacle which communicates with the tub of the machine. The receptacle is supplied with water from a conduit that has an outlet located below the overiiow opening of the receptacle. The outlet opening of the conduit is thus always submerged in iiuid collecting in thev receptacle to prevent the backiiow of suds or steam through the conduit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a laundry machine including a liquid containing tub with water supply means of the type described above and wherein a vent pipe is provided that connects the interior of the tub with the atmosphere. that extends into the tub has an open end which faces in the direction of rotation of a tumbling drum thatis located in the tub. With this arrangement a low pressure region is created at the open end of the pipe which pre vents the outow of steam and the like when the tumbling drum is rotating. When the tumbling drum is stationary and during the time the tub is filling, the vent pipe operates to relieve the tub of air which might be trapped therein and which otherwise would prevent rapid iilling of thetub.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: f

Figure 1 is a front View, with parts broken away, of

a combined washer-dryer employing the water filling apparatus of this invention;

Figure 2 is a modified vent pipe arrangement that is adapted for use in the combined washer-dryer illustrated inFig. 1;

The portion of the vent pipe' SLSS Patented Nov. 29, 1960 v receptacle shown in Fig. l;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing the cover plates for the water receptacle; and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the iiexible tubular member that connects the outer cabinet and inner tub ofthe combined washer-dryer.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, acombined washerdryer generally designated by reference numeral 10 is shown. The washer-dryer preferably includes an outer cabinet designated as a whole by reference numeral 12 and an inner substantially imperforate horizontally arranged tub generally denoted by reference numeral 14. The tub 14 is supported from the main frame 16 of the washer-dryer by shock absorbers 18 and coil springs 20. A cy1indrical, hori zontally disposed tumbling vdrum 22 having the usual tumbling vanes 24 is disposed within the outer tub 14 and is supported therefrom. The peripheral wall of the tumbling drum is perforated as shown in Fig. l. The

tumbling drum 22 has a shaft (not shown) which is f anoutlet pump' 26. The pump and electric motor are preferablyfsecured to the outer tub 14 whereby the tub and driving mechanism for the tumbling drum are all supported from frame 16 by shock absorbers 18 and springs v20. For a detailed description of the driving.

mechanism that may be used for driving tumbling drum 22 and'for an arrangement of supporting the tumbling drum 22 within tub 14, reference may be had to copending application Ser. No. 623,052, tiled November 19, 1956.

The front panel 28 of cabinet 12 is provided with anV access'opening 30 which is closable by a door 32 that isv pivoted to the cabinet. The tub 14 and tumbling drum 22 are also provide with front access openings located in alignment with access opening 30, as more particularly illustrated in Fig. 5. A flexible tubular member 34,

"made of rubber or the like, is interposed between front panel 28 and tub 14. The door 32 abuts against a peripheral portion 36 of the flexible tubular member 34 when in a closed position to tightly seal the interior of tub 14 fromthe exterior thereof.

The tub 14 is provided with an outwardly bent portionV 3 8that houses a conventional electric heating element 40. The electric heating element is under the control of a conventional timer 42 having the usual timer operated switches and which may be set by the rotation of a knob 4'" 44. The electric heating element is energized when the combined washer-dryer is operated during its drying cycle. i

The tub 14 has a second outwardly bent portion 46 that forms an axially extending trough or receptacle 47. The trough or receptacle has an open end that faces the interior of tub 14 and which is closed by the plate members 48 and 50. The plate members `48 and 50 overlap, as more clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, and may be welded to the tub 14. The plate members may be also welded or otherwise secured together over the area where they overlap. As an alternative arrangement, the plate 50 might be welded to the tub 14 with the plate 48 beingbolted to plate 50 at the region where they overlap. The

plate 50, as more particularly shown in Fig. 4, is'pr o vided with a plurality of passages 52 that are spaced above the lower end 54 of the receptacle. It will be apparent that when the receptacle is filled with water, the same will overow through the passages 52 when the receptaclehas -been filled to Overowing.

The receptacle 47 is supplied with water by a conduit 56 that is connected with conduit 58. The conduit 58 is, in turn, connected with a funnel 60 which is supplied with water from conduit 62. The funnel 60' and conduit 62 form an air gap for thewater supply system. The conduit 62 is connected with conventional solenoid valve apparatus generally designated by reference numeral 64. The solenoid valve apparatus is connected with hot and cold water inlet pipes and the valve apparatus controls the flow of water to funnel 60 and to receptacle 47.

The receptacle or trough 47 serves two functions during the operation of the washer-dryer. Just prior to the beginning of the agitation cycle or washingcycle of the machine where the tumbling drum 22 is rotated at low speed, the tub is filled with wash water. The tube may be filled with either warm water or hot water, depending upon the setting of solenoid valve apparatus 64. During the initial filling, the water iiows into receptacle 47, overiiows through passage 52 into tub 14 and fills the tub with water to a predetermined level below passages 52. The trough also supplies condensing water during the drying cycle of the machine. During the drying cycle the solenoid valve apparatus is actuated so as to supply cold water to trough 47, the water being supplied at a reduced rate as compared to the inflow of water during the initial fill. This water also overfiows through passages 52 and then flows in a relatively Wide film down the inner sidewall 69 `of tub 14 to a drain passage 66. The drain passage is controlled by suitable solenoid lvalve apparatus generally designated by reference numeral 68. The outlet of the valve apparatus is connected with the pump 26 by a pipe 70. The drain valve 68 is open and the pump running when condensing water is being supplied.

It is important to note that the lower end of pipe 56 is disposed below the lower edge of passages 52, and it thus can be seen that the lower end of pipe 56 is always submerged in water collecting in trough 47 below passages 52. This submerging of the lower end of the pipe effectively precludes the backflow of suds or steam through pipe S6 and up into funnel 6i) when the tumbling drum is rotating slowly during the wash cycle. Without such an arrangement, the suds would overflow into the area between tub 14 and cabinet 12 where they would lodge on various parts of the machine to rapidly deteriorate the same. During the drying cycle of the machine the submerging of the lower end of pipe 56 also precludes the backlicw of steam through pipe 56 and up into funnel 60.

Since the tub 14 is substantially imperforate, it is desirous to have means for venting the tub to the atmosphere when the tub is initially filling with water prior to the wash cycle. To this end a' vent pipe 72 is provided which has one end 74 projecting through the tub 14 to a point above the periphery of tumbling drum 22. The opposite end of -pipe 72 overlies the funnel 60. It is noted that the end 76 of pipe 72 that projects into tub 14 is cut back on a bias so that the open end of the pipe eX- tends generally in the direction of rotation of tub 22. It has been found that the rotation of tumbling drum provides a low pressure area at the end 76 of pipe 72 so as to effectively preclude the passage of steam through the pipe 72 when the machine is operating as a clothes dryer. When the tumbling drum 22 is rotating, airis actually pulled into the tub 14 due to the particular location of the lower end 76 of pipe 72 with respect to tumbling drum 22. A modified vent pipe arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein the lower end'76 of the conduit is provided with a. projecting portion 78 that extends in the' direction of rotation of tumbling drum 22. This arrangement works equally well in providing a low pressure area within the `end 78 of pipe 72. In the event that any steam or the like passes through pipe 72, the same would' pass into funnel 60 where it would be supplied to receptacl`e47.

The operation of the combined washer and dryer will now be described briefly.

When the user of the combined washer-dryer desires to use the machine, the knob 44 is set to start operation of the machine. The machine first fills with washing liquid through receptacle 47 to a predetermined amount. The tumbling drum 22 is then rotated to agitate the clothes during the washing cycle for a predetermined length of time. After the washing cycle is completed drain valve 68 is opened and the tub is exhausted of wash water by operation of pump 26. The wash cycle is preferably followed by one or more rinse cycles and high speed spin cycles to rinse the clothes and to extract moisture therefrom. After the washing, rinsing and spin-drying cycles are completed, the heater element 40 is energized and the tumbling drum is rotated to dry the clothes. The solenoid valve apparatus 64 is actuated to supply cold Water at a reduced rate to the side- Wall 69 ofthe drum 14, the water being exhaustedv through valve 68 and pump 26. This water owing in a relatively wide film condenses steam issuing from the clothes being tumbled in tumbling drum 22. When the drying cycle is completed, the machine is shut down by timeroperated switches under the control of timer 42.

Although the water filling apparatus of this invention has been shown in conjunction with a combined washer and dryer, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain aspects of this invention are equally applicable to individual washing machines and individual clothes dryers.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A clothes washer comprising, a liquid containing tub closed to the atmosphere, means for agitating in said tub including a member rotating relative to said tub, a substantially closed receptacle supported adjacent said tub and having an overow opening spaced above the bottom of said receptacle and communicating with said tub, inlet pipe means in said receptacle having an outlet opening located below said overflow opening and an inlet opening, means spaced from said inlet opening for supplying fluid to said inlet pipe means, and conduit means directly connecting the interior of said tub with said inlet opening, said conduit means having one end thereof in said tub opened on a bias in the direction of rotation of said rotating member.

2. A clothes washer comprising, a horizontally arranged liquid containing tub closed to the atmosphere, a rotatable tumbling drum in said tub, a receptacle supported adjacent said tub and having one wall facing the interior of said tub, said one wall having an overow opening spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and communicating with said tub, inlet pipe means in said receptable having an outlet opening located below said overflow opening, means for supplying fluid to said pipe means, and a vent conduit having one end open to the atmosphere and another end extending through a wall of said tub connecting the interior of the tub and the atmosphere, the open end of said vent pipe in the tub facing in the direction of rotation of said tumbling drum whereby a low pressure area is created at the end of said vent pipe when said tumbling drum is rotating.

3. Fluid filling apparatus for a clothes washing machine having a substantially imperforate tub closed to the atmosphere and a clothes container rotatable therein comprising, fluid inlet means communicating with said tub, and a vent conduit connecting the interior of the tub with the atmosphere, said vent conduit having an open end located adjacent the rotatable clothes container and disposed substantially tangential to said clothes container and facing in the direction of rotation of said clothes container and a second open end disposed in said atmosphere.

4. A clothes washing machine having a liquid containing tub closed to the atmosphere, a rotatable clothes container in said tub, a substantially closed receptacle on one sidewall of said tub having an open side facing the interior of said tub, a pair of plate members having overlapping edges covering the open side of said receptacle, a plurality of passages in one of said plates connecting the interior of said receptacle and the interior of said tub, an inlet conduit in said receptacle having its open outlet end spaced below said passages and its inlet end connected to the atmosphere, and a vent connecting the interior of said tub with said inlet end, said vent having one end extending into said tub and opened on a bias in the direction of rotation of said container.

5. A clothes washing machine having a substantially horizontally disposed tub closed to the atmosphere, a tumbling drum in said tub, a receptacle formed as an integral part of one sidewall of said tub and having an open side facing the interior of said tub, plate means covering said open side, a passage in said plate means connecting the interior of said receptacle and the interior of said tub, conduit means communicating with said receptacle, means spaced from said conduit means for supplying said conduit means with uid, said conduit means having an outlet disposed below said passage, and means for venting said tub, said venting means communicating with said conduit means and having one end in said tub opened on a bias in the direction of rotation of said tumbling drum.

6. A clothes washer comprising, a horizontally arranged liquid containing tub closed to the atmosphere, a rotatable tumbling drum in said tub, a receptacle supported adjacent said Washer and having one wall facing the interior of said tub, said one wall having an overow opening spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and in juxtaposition to and in communication with said tub, inlet pipe means in said receptacle having an outlet opening located below said overllow opening, a funnel connected to said inlet pipe means, a iiuid supply conduit in the open end of said funnel for supplying said funnel with fluid, and a vent pipe extending through a wall of said tub connecting the interior of the tub and the atmosphere, the open end of said vent pipe that is in the tub facing in the direction of rotation of said tumbling drum, the open end of said vent pipe outside of said tub overlying the open end of the funnel whereby any uid passing through said vent pipe exhausts into said funnel.

7. Fluid filling apparatus for an article washing machine having a substantially imperforate tub closed to the atmosphere and a member rotatable therein comprising, fluid inlet means communicating with said tub, and a venting conduit connecting the interior of the tub with the atmosphere, said vent conduit having an open end located adjacent the rotatable member and disposed substantially tangential to said member and facing in the direction of rotation of said member and a second open end disposed in said atmosphere.

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